Wand for vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

A CLEANING TOOL ADAPTED FOR USE WITH A VACUUM CLEANER, SUCH AS A CANISTER-TYPE VACUUM CLEANER, COMPRISING A HOUSEING CONNECTED TO AN OPERATING HANDLE OR WAND, FOR MOVEMENT OF THE HOUSING OVER THE SURFACE, SUCH AS A RUG, TO BE CLEANED. THE HOUSING COMPRISES A SUCTION CHAMBER COMMUNICATING WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOUSING AND THE LATTER IS ADAPTED TO BE MOVED IN HORIZONTAL CONDITION ACROSS THE SURFACE TO BE CLEANED. THE OPERATING HANDLE IS PROVIDED WITH A GRIP SECTION WHICH ENABLES DIFFERENT SIZES OF PEOPLE HAVING DIFFERENT ARM LENGTHS TO CONVENIENTLY OPERATE THE TOOL AND STILL MAINTAIN THE HOUSING IN GENERALLY HORIZONTAL CONDITION, IRRESPECTIVE OF VARIATIONS IN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE FLOOR SURFACE AND THE HAND OF THE OPERATOR DUE TO DIFFERENT ARM LENGTHS FOUND IN DIFFERENT SIZES   OF INDIVIDUALS. A NOVEL SECTIONAL CONSTRUCTION OF OPERATING HANDLE IS PROVIDED TOGETHER WITH COUPLING MEANS FOR COUPLING SECTIONS OF THE OPERATING HANDLE TOGETHER AND COUPLING THE LATTER THE TOOL, FOR PROVIDING A CONDUIT FROM THE HOUSING OF THE TOOL TO THE CANISTER OF THE VACUUM CLEANER.

Jan. 26, 1971 L. A. WOLF WAND FOR VACUUM CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledSept. 25, 1968 INVENTbR LEE A. WOLF gw m 2 ATTORN s FIG.4

Jan. 26,1971 L. A. WOLF WAND FOR VACUUM CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheer- 2 FiledSept. 25, 1968 INVENTOR LEE A WOLF OR FEE Jan. 26, 1971 L. A. WOLF IWAND FOR VACUUM CLEANER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fi d Sept. 25, 1968 INVENTORLEE A. WOLF L. A. WOLF WAND FOR VACUUM CLEANER Jan. 26,1971

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept; 25, 1968 I INVENTOR LEE A. WOLF UnitedStates Patent 3,557,399 WAND FOR VACUUM CLEANER Lee A. Wolf, Cincinnati,Ohio, assignor to Haley Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation ofOhio Filed Sept. 25, 1968, Ser. No. 762,573 Int. Cl. A471 9/ 32 US. Cl.15-327 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cleaning tool adapted foruse with a vacuum cleaner, such as a canister-type vacuum cleaner,comprising a housing connected to an operating handleor wand, formovement of the housing over the surface, such as a rug, to be cleaned.The housing comprises a suction chamber communicating with the undersideof the housing and the lating handle is provided together with couplingmeans for coupling sections of the operating handle together andcoupling the latter to the tool, for providing a conduit from thehousing of the tool to the canister of the vacuum cleaner.

This invention relates in general to a cleaning tool for use with avacuum cleaner, and more particularly relates to the wand or operatinghandle for use with the tool, and for enabling the tool to beconveniently maintained substantially horizontal as it is moved acrossthe surface to be cleaned, irrespective of the different arm lengthsfound in various sizes of individuals.

Many types of cleaning tools adapted for use witha wand of a vacuumcleaner, such as a canister-type vacuum cleaner, are known in the art.It is conventional in such prior art tools for inlet air to be drawninto the tool where it passes out the outlet of the tool through thewand to the tank of the vacuum cleaner. The present tool is adapted tobe maintained in generally horizontal condition asit is moved via thewand and by the operator over the surface to be cleaned in order tomaintain optimum cleaning efficiency for the tool. The wand is providedwith a predetermined gripping section adjacent'the outer end thereofadapted to be gripped by the operator for expeditiously moving the wandforwardly and rearwardly and thus moving the tool. Different sizes ofindividuals using the tool and connected wand may have different lengthsof arms, and therefore the distance between the hand of the operator andthe floor level may vary considerably (within a range of approximatelythree inches) resulting in a tendency for some sizes of individuals totip the tool in a gen- .erally vertical plane as the operators arm isswung forwardly and rearwardly during the cleaning operation, ma-

terially diminishing the effectiveness of the cleaning operaiently inmoving the latter across the surface to be cleaned, without a tendencyto tip the tool vertically from engagement with the surface to becleanend during operation of the tool. The wand illustrated is of novelsectional construction, for convenient disassembly, and includes a-novel coupling arrangement for coupling the sections to gether andcoupling the wand assembly to the tool proper.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a novel operatingwand for use with a vacuum cleaning tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating handle orwand of the above-discussed type wherein the outer end portion thereofincludes a gripping section thereon adapted to be gripped by the hand ofthe operator, and wherein such gripping section is of such size andconstruction that provision is made for effective operation of the wandby different sizes of operators with their associated varied armlengths, so that the tool can be maintained substantially horizontalduring its movement over the surface to be cleaned, without undulystressing the operators arm.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating wand for acleaning tool with the wand being of a sectional and exteriorly ribbedconstruction, with coupling means for readily coupling and uncouplingthe sections together.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a wand for acleaning tool wherein the hand-grip section adjacent the outer end ofthe wand is of a length considerably greater than the conventionallength of the gripping portion of a wand so that the operator can adjustthe location which he grips the Wand commensurate with the distance hishand is disposed above floor level, to thereby aid in maintaining thetool substantially horizontally as it is moved across the surface to becleaned.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the cleaning tool having thewand of the invention coupled thereto, which in turn is attached as bymeans of a flexible hose to a canister-type vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, side elevational view of a cleaning tool withwhich the Wand of the invention may be used;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane of line 3-3of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top-plan view of the tool of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sideelevational view of the outer end of theoperating wand, illustrating the upper Wand section, and showing indetail the hand grip member mounted thereon for the operators hand;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side-elevational view of the grip memberillustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end-elevational view of the FIG. 6 grip;

FIG. 8 is a broken elevational view of the aforementioned upper sectionof the operating wand;

FIG. 9 is a broken elevational view of the straight central section ofthe operating wand;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the curved lower section of theoperating wand;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view taken generally along the lane of line 11-11of FIG. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken generally along the planeof line 12-12 of FIG. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged end-elevational view taken along the plane ofline 1313 of FIG. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the plane of line14-14 of FIG.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of the coupling assembly forcoupling one wand section to another wand section and for coupling thewand assembly to the tool and to the flexible hose for the cleaner;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken generally along the plane of line 1616of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of the locking trigger of the couplingassembly illustrated in FIG. 15; and

FIG. 18 is a lengthwise sectional view of the stub connector member usedfor coupling one wand section to another wand section in the couplingassembly of FIG. 15.

Referring again to the drawings, there is disclosed a cleaning tool 10attached by means of a releasable coupling assembly 12 to an operatinghandle or wand assembly 14, which in turn is attached as by swivel means15 to a flexible hose 16 and thence to a source of vacuum represented inthe embodiment illustrated by a canistertype vacuum cleaner 18.

The cleaning tool 10 comprises a housing 20 which may be formed of anysuitable material, and which in the embodiment illustrated includes agenerally polygonal, substantially flat body portion 22 and an elongatedcrowned portion 24 extending upwardly from the body portion 22 anddefining a suction chamber 26, and a tubular-like exit portion 28extending rearwardly from the crowned portion 24, and communicating withsuction chamber 26 at an outlet opening 30 (FIG. 2) from the suctionchamber.

The bottom surface 32 of the tool is generally planar with the suctionchamber 26 opening onto said bottom surface. Diagonally extendingpassageways 34 may be formed in such bottom surface and extend fromcommunication with the suction chamber 26 diagonally outwardly toterminate adjacent the outer periphery of the tool housing, and providesuction action from the suction chamber to the side edges of the tool.

The aforementioned crown portion 24 may comprise a generally diagonallysloping front wall section 36 and a back wall section 36a, with thefront wall section 36 and back wall section 36a being connected by upperwall section and end wall sections, and with the front, back and endwall sections merging at their lower ends with the generally planar bodyportion 22 of the tool housing.

Along the juncture at the front and rear wall sections of the crownedportion with the body portion of the tool, there may be provided aplurality of spaced jet orifices 38 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) which extend fromthe exterior of the housing diagonally inwardly to communicate adjacenttheir inner ends with the suction chamber 26 adjacent the bottom of thesuction chamber. Orifices 38 create jet streams of inlet air which areadapted to impinge against the surface being cleaned, such as a nap of acarpet, to generally scrub the carpet by the jet streams of air andcause upward boiling of debris material from the carpet, prior tomovement of the intake air through the outlet opening 30 from thesuction chamber, and then out exit portion 28 to wand assembly 14, andthence to the vacuum cleaner 18 via the hose 16.

As can be seen, the jet orifices 38 are preferably generally evenlyspaced along the juncture of the crowned portion with the body portionof the tool housing to more or less uniformly direct impinging jetstreams of intake air against the surface being cleaned. Also it ispreferably to have the jet orifices on opposite sides of the crownedportion disposed in generally opposing relationship with one another, sothat the jet streams of intake air are directed to both sides of thesuction chamber at the same general vicinity and downwardly against thesurface being cleaned. Such an arrangement aids in maintaining themobility of the tool as the latter is moved horizontally across thefloor in a ski-like effect.

A brush member 40, which may include an elongated mounting portion andflexible bristles extending outward- 4 1y from the mounting portion, maybe mounted in the suction chamber and extends lengthwise thereofgenerally centrally of the suction chamber for aiding in cleaning theconfronting surface.

The tubular exit portion 28 of the tool housing may be readily coupledto and uncoupled from the wand assembly 14 by means of theaforementioned coupling 12. In this connection, portion 28 has anopening 42 (FIGS. 2 and 4) formed therein adjacent the distal endthereof with a keyway slot 44 being formed on the opposite side of thetubular portion, preferably in generally opposed relation with theopening 42. The coupling 12 utilizes an inner tubular connector 46(FIGS. 15 and 18) which maybe formed as integral part of the wand, butin the embodiment illustrated is shown as a separate piece attached toeach of the wand sections, and which receives the distal end of the exitportion 28 of the tool housing therein, as shown inFIG. 15.

Connector member 46 has enlarged ends as can be best seen in FIG. 18 andhas mounted thereon a flexible trigger member 48. Trigger 48 comprises abase portion 48a, a locking head portion 48b and a flexible bridgingportion 48c. Base portion 48a has an embossment 50 on the undersidethereof which is adapted to be received in snug frictional relation inan opening 52 in the connector member 46, for mounting the trigger onthe connector member. Head portion 48b is adapted to be received throughan opening 54in connector member 46, and into aforementioned opening 42in the exit portion 28 of the tool, and thus lock the tool housing tothe wand assembly. Head portion 48a of trigger 48 also includes afulcrum section 48d which engages the confronting surface of theconnector member 46 when the trigger 48 is in locking coaction with theopening 42. The aforementioned keyway 44 in the exit portion 28 of thetool housing, is adapted to receive an axially extending key portion 56(FIGS. 15 and 18) interiorly of the connector member 46 and in generallyclose-fitting relation, for preventing relative rotary movement betweenthe coupling assembly and the tool housing.

Encompassing the connector member 46 and mounted trigger 48, is aresilient sleeve 58 made from some flexible material, such as rubber,with the sleeve gripping the connector 46 generally centrally thereof asat 58a and also gripping the exit portion 28 of the tool housing as at58b (FIG. 15). Sleeve 58 is preferably provided with an interiorembossment 62 identified exteriorly thereof by a molded button portion62a, and which is adapted to engage the bridging portion 480 of thetrigger 48 substantially as illustrated in FIG. 15.

When it is desired to detach the tool housing from coupling 12, it isonly necessary to press the button portion 62a which causes downwardmovement of embossment 62 of the sleeve, deflecting the flexibleconnecting portion 48c of the trigger inwardly and causing upwardpivotal movement of the head portion 48b about fulcrum 48d of thetrigger, thereby lifting the head 48b from locking coaction with theopening 42 in exit portion 28 of the tool housing. Axial withdrawalmovement of the housing from the coupling can then be accomplished.Release of the pressure from button portion 62a of the sleeve 58 permitsthe trigger to once again assume the position shown in FIG. 15. Headportion 48b of the trigger has a cam surface 66 thereon which is adaptedfor engagement with the distal end of the exit portion 28 when the toolhousing is axially assembled with the coupling 12, thereby causingautomatic upward movement of the head portion 48b as the exit portion 28of the tool slides into the receiving end of the connector 46, until thehead portion 48b mates with the opening 42 as guided by the key 56 andcoacting slot 44, whereupon the head portion 48b snaps into the Opening42 to automatically lock the tool housing to the wand assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 14, the operating handle or wand 14comprises an assembly of wand sections formed of any suitable material,such as for instance polystyrene plastic, and including an upper section68 (FIGS. and 8), a middle section 68a (FIG. 9) and a lower section 68b(FIG. 10). The wand sections 68, 68a and 68b are adapted for coupling toone another and to the flexible hose 16 leading to the canister ofvacuum cleaner 18, by coupling assemblies 12 of the same typeaforediscussed in connection with the coupling assembly which couplesthe tool 10 to the wand assembly. Each of the wand sections 68, 68a, 68bis of relatively thin walled tubing (in the order of .2 inch thickness)and have exterior ribs 70 running lengthwise thereof and spacedcircumferentially thereabout, which ribs provide strength to the wandsections and add to the pleasing appearance of the wand.

Each wand section has a reduced size cylindrical portion 72 on one endthereof (the forward end) which is preferably of a relatively smoothexterior configuration, and which is adapted to be received in one endof a connector member 46 of the aforementioned construction shown, forinstance, in FIG. 18. A suitable adhesive can be applied as at 73 (FIG.15) to retain the connection between connector member 46 and the endportion 72 of the respective wand section. Each of the wand sections onits rearward end also includes cylindrical end portion 74 of reduceddiameter which is adapted to be received in the forward end of theassociated connector member 46, and generally similarly to thearrangement shown in FIG. 15 of the receipt of the exit portion 28 ofthe tool in the forward end of the associated connector 46. In thisconnection, each end portion 74 of each wand section includes an opening42 therein (FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 12), and which is adapted to receivetherein the head portion 48b of the trigger element of the associatedcoupling assembly, and similarly to that shown in FIG. 15. Also, eachrearward end portion 74 has a keyway 44 formed therein which is adaptedto receive the key 44 on the associated connector member of therespective coupling assembly. It will be seen, therefore, that the wandsections are coupled to one another and to the hose 16 by an arrangementsimilarly to that illustrated in detail in FIG. 15. The wand sectionsare of relatively thin wall construction as aforediscussed and thekeyway 44' in depth extends beyond the thickness of the wall of therespective wand section. Accordingly, an interior raised strip or rib 78is provided, integrally formed with the wall of the respective wandsection, for providing for the keyway 44 in the respective wand section.Strip 78 preferably runs for the full length of the respective Wandsection, even though it is recessed from the exterior only at one endthereof, 0

for providing the keyway 44'.

The upper wand section 68 is provided with a grip member 80 on itsunderside, which grip member is adapted to be held by the hand of anoperator in the operation of moving the tool 10 and attached wandassembly with respect to the surface being cleaned. Grip member 80 maybe formed of any suitable material such as, for instance, flexiblepolyvinyl chloride plastic, and has a plurality of lengthwise extendinggrooves 82 formed on the top surface thereof which are adapted toreceive the associated of ribs 70 spaced circumferentially along theunderside of wand section 68. Grip member 80 may be held in position bya suitable adhesive material so that it positively will not moverelative to wand section 68.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be seen that thehand grip member 80 extends for a substantial portion of the length ofupper wand section 68. commencing adjacent the rearward end thereof, andextends toward the forward end thereof. In the embodi- -ment illustratedthe grip member 80 extends only along the linear portion of upper wandsection 68 and terminates prior to the curved portion thereof. Theunderside of member 80 is scalloped to provide transverse recesses 84,for receiving the fingers of the operator during operation of the toolby the operators arm moving it horizontally across the surface to becleaned. In the embodiment illustrated there are provided eleven fingerreceiving recesses or indentations in the underside of member 80.Ordinarily only four or five recesses are found on an implement that isto be gripped or clasped by the hand of a user in the manner of a wand,for receiving the four fingers of the user. However, with the provisionof eleven recesses, it will be seen that the hand of the user can bemoved lengthwise along grip through a range of lengthwise spacedlocations. Wand section 68 slopes downwardly at an angle X ofapproximately 20 degrees with respect to the horizontal (FIG. 5) in theoperating condition of the tool when the latter is disposed horizontallyfor movement in ski-like fashion across the surface to be cleaned. Thelength of grip member 80 in the embodiment illustrated is approximately10 inches, thus providing in conjunction with the angle X of 20 degrees,a range of approximately 3 /2 inches in vertical dimension in which thegrip can be held by the clasped hand of the operator for effectivehorizontal operation of the tool irrespective of different arm lengthsof different operators. The distance differential that the average humanindividuals clasped hand is generally disposed from floor level variesthrough a range of approximately 3 inches. In other words, the claspedhand of those with longer arms may be approximately 3 inches closer tothe floor level than those with shorter arms. By providing the length ofgrip member 80 with the plurality of lengthwise spaced finger recessestherein so as to make the tool usable throughout the range of differentarm lengths of the average human individual, the tool can be operatedeffectively by practically all individuals for maintaining the toolhorizontal as it is moved across the floor level, irrespective of thearm length of the individual. Thus a wand is provided that can beeffectively operated by the great majority of individuals, irrespectiveof their arm lengths, and still enable the operator to grip the wand atthe location of the grip member 80. As can be seen in FIG. 1, theforward end of the grip member 80 is disposed at a vertical distance Yof approximately 28 inches above floor level, while the rearward end ofthe grip member 80 is disposed at a vertical distance Z of approximately31 /2 inches above floor level, in the horizontal operating condition ofthe tool. Thus a vertical range of approximately 3 /2 inches is providedfor effective horizontal movement of the tool across the surface to becleaned by individuals with various arm lengths.

From the foregoing discussion and accompanying drawings it will be seenthat the invention provides a cleaning tool adapted for use with avacuum cleaner with the tool being connected to an operating handle orwand for movement of the tool in generally horizontal condition acrossthe surface to be cleaned and with the operating handle being of a novelconstruction and including hand grip means thereon which enablesdifferent sizes of people to effectively operate the tool and maintainthe latter in generally horizontal condition irrespective of variationsin the distance between the floor surface and the clasped hand of theoperator. A novel arrangement of sectional construction of operatinghandle is illustrated and a novel arrangement of coupling means isprovided for coupling the sections with respect to one another, andcoupling the operating handle or Wand to the tool.

The terms and expressions which have been used are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation and there is no intention in the useof such terms and expression of excluding any equivalents of any of thefeatures shown or described, and it is recognized that variousmodifications are possible.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a cleaning tool for a suction type vacuum cleaneradapted for cleaning a floor surface or the like, comprising a housingwith a suction chamber therein communicating with the underside of saidhousing,

and an operating wand coupled to said tool and extending rearwardlytherefrom for moving said housing in generally horizontal relationacross the surface to be cleaned, said wand having grip means thereonadapted to be gripped by a tool operator for moving the tool andassociated wand with respect to the surface upon movement of the arm ofthe operator, said grip means comprising an elongated portion on theunderside of the wand extending lengthwise thereof substantiallylinearly, said portion being obliquely oriented with respect to thehorizontal and having a plurality of transverse generally finger sizeindentations therein spaced lengthwise of said portion and adapted toreceive fingers of the operator when the wand is gripped by theoperator, each of said indentations being disposed at a higher levelthan the next preceding indentation as compared to the surface to becleaned in the horizontal condition of the too], said indentationsproviding a considerable range of finger gripping locations lengthwiseof said portion for use by different operators having different lengthsof arms for expeditiously maintaining the tool substantially horizontalduring movement thereof relative to the surface being cleanedirrespective of the arm length of the particular operator, the number ofsaid indentations being greater than 5.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said grip means isdisposed adjacent the distal end of said Wand and comprises a member ofelongated striplike configuration secured to the underside of the wand,said member having a said plurality of transverse indentations thereinspaced lengthwise thereof.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said grip memberis obliquely disposed at an angle of approximately 20 degrees withrespect to the horizontal and comprises eleven of said indentationsspaced lengthwise of said member.

4. The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said wand adjacentsaid distal end is disposed at an angle of approximately 20 degrees withrespect to the horizontal and slopes downwardly toward the horizontal,so that movement of the operators clasped hand from one end of said gripmember to the other end thereof varies the vertical distance of theoperators clasped hand from floor level through a range of approximately3 /2 inches, in the generally horizontal position of said tool.

5. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wandcomprises a plurality of wand sections, and releasable coupling meanscoupling said wand sections together into an integral unit.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said couplingmeans includes an opening adjacent one end of each of said wandsections, and an axially extending keyway in said one end adapted toreceive a complementary key on said coupling means, and said couplingmeans including a movable lug adapted to be received in interlockingcoaction in said opening of said wand section with means for moving saidlug out of said opening to permit axial separation of each wand sectionfrom the adjacent wand section, said coupling means comprising aconnector member secured to one end of one wand section and coacting intelescoped relation with an end of the adjacent wand section, saidmovable lug comprising a resilient trigger member including a baseportion attached to said connector member, said trigger member includinga head portion defining said lug adapted to be received in said openingand a connecting body portion of flexible material, said head portionhaving a fulcrum disposed forwardly of said flexible body portion andadapted for engagement with said connector member for causing outwardpivotal movement of said head portion out of said opening upon inwarddeflection of said body portion, said body portion and said fulcrumproviding said means for moving said lug out of said opening.

7. The combination in accordance with claim 6 including a sleeve memberencompassing said trigger member and said connector member, said sleevemember being formed of flexible material adapted for deformation uponsqueezing thereof for permitting actuation of said trigger member fromexteriorly of said sleeve member.

8. The combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein said sleeve membercomprises an embossment on the interior thereof adapted for overlyingrelation with respect to said connecting body portion of said triggermember for applying inward pressure to said connecting body portion forcausing outward pivotal movement of said head portion out of saidopening, for detaching said wand section from the adjacent wand section.

9. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said grip meanscomprises an elongated strip member mounted on the underside of the wandadjacent the distal end of the wand, and with the underside of said gripstrip member having said plurality of lengthwise spaced indentionstherein, and wherein the top side of said grip strip member which isdisposed in juxtaposed relation to said underside of said wandcomprising a plurality of recesses extending lengthwise thereof, andsaid wand including lengthwise extending rigid exterior ribs spacedcircumferentially about said wand, said recesses being formedcomplementary to said ribs on the wand with at least certain of saidribs being received in said recesses.

10. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein said grip stripmember is formed of flexible plastic material, and adhesion meanssecuring said grip strip member to said wand.

11. An operating wand adapted for attachment to a tool of a suction-typevacuum cleaner with the tool being adapted to be moved horizontally bysaid operating wand across a surface to be cleaned, said wand comprisinga plurality of wand sections and means coupling said wand sectionstogether into an integral unit, the outermost of said wand sectionsincluding a grip means thereon adapted for gripping by an operator inconjunction with movement of the operators arm, for causing generallyhorizontal movement of the tool over the surface to be cleaned, saidgrip means extending lengthwise substantially linearly and comprising amember of elongated strip-like configuration secured to the underside ofsaid outermost wand section, said grip member when in use with the toolbeing obliquely oriented with respect to the horizontal and having aplurality of transverse generally finger size indentations thereinspaced lengthwise of said grip member and adapted to receive fingers ofan operator when gripped by the operator, said indentations being ofsuch number and at least greater than 5, with each of said indentationsbeing disposed at a higher level than the next preceding indentation ascompared to the surface to be cleaned in the horizontal condition of thetool that they provide a range of gripping locations for use bydifferent operators having different lengths of arms, for expeditiouslymaintaining the tool substantially horizontal during generallyhorizontal movement thereof by said wand relative to the surface beingcleaned irrespective of the operators arm length.

12. An operating wand in accordance with claim 11 wherein said wandincludes an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section andsaid coupling means being disposed intermediate said sections anddetachably coupling said sections together against relative rotationaland lengthwise movement with respect to one another, said upper sectioncomprising said outermost wand section, each of said wand sectionscomprising a tubular portion at one end thereof coacting with therespective of said coupling means, said tubular portion including anopening therein and a keyway slot therein and said coupling meanscomprising a lug releasably received in said opening and a keyreleasably received in said slot, and means for moving said lug fromsaid opening for permitting axial withdrawal movement of one wandsection with respect to another wand section, said axial withdrawal 9movement causing said key to be withdrawn from said slot.

13. An operating wand in accordance with claim 12 wherein said upperwand section adjacent its distal end is angularly disposed with respectto the horizontal at approximately 20 degrees in the horizontalcondition of said tool, said grip strip member being secured to saidupper wand section on the underside thereof adjacent the outer endthereof, said grip strip member extending for a distance along saidupper wand section sufficient to give a vertical differential range ofapproximately 3 /2 inches for gripping of the grip strip member bydifferent operators having different lengths of arms, so that the toolcan be expeditiously maintained substantially horizontal irrespective ofoperator arm length.

14. An operating wand in accordance with claim 12 wherein each Wandsection comprises a raised rib running lengthwise interiorly of the wandsection, said slot being of a depth greater than the thickness of thedefining wall 2 of the wand section and extending into said interiorrib.

10 15. An operating wand in accordance with claim 14 wherein saidinterior rib runs for the full length of the respective wand section,said slot terminating in said tubular portion and being disposed in 180degrees opposed relation to said opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 146,499 3/ 1947 Finn D4917.22,184,881 12/1939 Martinet 285-7 2,998,474 8/1961 Pavlic 15327X FOREIGNPATENTS 851,463 10/1960 Great Britain 15-41O 1,002,209 8/1965 GreatBritain 15143.2

ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

